In the quiet of a late winter evening in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, a call about an aggravated assault on Browning Road shattered the peace. It was March 4, 2010, when Corporal Clovis Wayne 'J.R.' Searcy Jr., a 33-year-old male deputy with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office, responded to the disturbance. A man was reportedly attempting to run people over with his vehicle, a chaotic scene demanding a swift and steady hand. Corporal Searcy, an eight-year veteran of the force and a United States Air Force veteran, arrived with his partner to confront the volatile situation.
They found the suspect, Michael Tanner, standing outside his vehicle. With his taser drawn, Corporal Searcy commanded Tanner to raise his hands. As Tanner complied, he suddenly revealed a handgun concealed at the small of his back and opened fire. Two shots struck Corporal Searcy, critically injuring the dedicated officer. In the immediate aftermath, his partner returned fire, killing Tanner at the scene and preventing any further harm to the public.
Despite the grave nature of his injuries, Corporal Searcy was rushed to St. Francis Medical Center. For two days, he fought for his life, a battle that ultimately ended on March 6, 2010. The loss of the devoted public servant, a husband and father, was felt deeply within his community and his department. The investigation into the shooting confirmed that Tanner, a convicted felon, was solely responsible for the tragic event that cut short the life of a man who had dedicated himself to serving and protecting others.
